soulless creature who now found himself in undisputed
possession of a Dyak war prahu. His only thought was
of the girl being rapidly borne away across the
glimmering waters of the strait. He knew not to what
dangers she was exposed, or what fate threatened her.
All he knew was that she had been taken by force
against her will. He had seen the look of terror in
her eyes, and the dawning hope die out as the boat that
carried her had turned rapidly away from the Ithaca.
His one thought now was to rescue her from her abductors
and return her to her father. Of his own reward or profit
he entertained no single thought--it was enough if he could
fight for her. That would be reward sufficient.

Neither Number Thirteen nor any of his crew had ever
before seen a boat, and outside of the leader there was
scarcely enough brains in the entire party to render it
at all likely that they could ever navigate it,
but the young man saw that the other prahus were
being propelled by the long sticks which protruded from
their sides, and he also saw the sails bellying with wind,
though he had but a vague conception of their purpose.

For a moment he stood watching the actions of the men
in the nearest boat, and then he set himself to the
task of placing his own men at the oars and instructing
them in the manner of wielding the unfamiliar implements.
For an hour he worked with the brainless things
that constituted his party. They could not seem
to learn what was required of them. The paddles